WATCH YOUR DRINK

Sgt. Holland of the Fraser Lake RCMP Detachment has issued a press release
alerting the public to the possibility of mind-altering drugs being dropped
into their drinks.

The Fraser Lake RCMP have received reports from five different people who
suspect that a substance nicknamed the "date rape drug" has been added to
their drinks in a public drinking establishment. The drug, called GHB, is a
central nervous system depressant that slows down the breathing and heart
rate, rendering the victim helpless.

GHB (gamma-hydroxy-butyric-acid) was invented in France in 1961 and was
used as an anaesthetic in hospitals. Once it was proven to have too many
undesirable side effects, it was taken off the market.

The white powder, which can also be in pill form, tastes slightly salty,
but when added to a liquid is non recognizable.

Under the influence of the drug, a person would exhibit symptoms of
amnesia, nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, dizziness, hypertension, and a lack
of coordination. The central nervous system is affected very quickly with
GHB and breathing complications could set in. Medical intervention is
critical at this point.

"If you are going out to drink, keep your drink with you," cautioned Sgt.
Holland. "If you are going to leave your table, either finish your drink or
leave it in the hands of someone you trust. Go with someone who will be
watching out for you, and report any suspicious circumstances to the RCMP.

"People should not assume that their friends will take care of them once
they loose control."

Holland urges people to take the information provided and make good safe
judgments based on the facts.

The servers in the local drinking establishments are keeping a watchful eye
on their customers and have taken steps to alert their staff on the
possibilities of someone lacing an unattended drink.

Counsellor Jamie Neilson at FLESS will have the RCMP talk to students about
the possible dangers associated with this drug. "We need to be proactive
about this type of thing," stressed Neilson, "And will do our best to
educate our students."

The RCMP continues to investigate and urge the public to report anything
they think could help them in their investigation.

"This is a hazardous activity and it is an offense to drop a drug into
someone's drink without their consent. We want information from the public
because we want this activity to stop," said Sgt. Holland.